Wheel for automobiles



May l5, 1928. 1,669,863

s. H. CLARKE WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 22 1922 2 sneewsneet 1 May 15, 1928.

S. H. CLARKE WHEEL FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 22, 1922 Amma@ Jfmfz ce 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented May 15, 1928.

PATENT ori-ICE sAxUEL HERBERT CLARKE, or 'EAL'TIMoRn MARYLAND.

WHEEL FOB AUTOMOBILES.

Application led August 22, 1922. Serial No. 583,590.

The invention relates to improvements in wheels for automobiles and various other motor vehicles andthe like. p

The object of the present invention is to 6 improve the construction of automobile wheels and to provide a simple, practical and eflicient automobile wheel of strong,` durable and comparatively inexpensive construction equipped with a demountable rim and capable of affording a firmer' and surer contact of the rim with the wheel and adapted to afford a free and powerful locking action uniform in its character throughout the rim.

Itr is also an object of the invention to provide a wheel of this character provided with locking means adapted in the unlockving operation to effect a slight outward movement of the rim with relation to the wheel to brake the Contact between the rim and the wheel and effect an easy kick-offl or removal of the rim. I

It is also an obj-ect of the invention to provide a demountable rim construction and locking means adapted to be advantageously employed in various types of pneumatic tires and various kinds of wheels, whether wood spoke, wire spoke or metal disk wheels.

With these and other objects in view the 3U invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, in lwhich like characters of reference vdesignate corresponding parts in the several views?- Figure l is avertical sectional view of an automobile wheel constructed in accordance with this invention, the section being taken through the plane of the locking ring.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the wheel, the rim being removed. i 50 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rim.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view through the rim and the felly of the wheel.

Figure is an enlarged detail view of the double trunco-conicalgear element and the meshing portion of the locking ring.

Figure'G is an enlarged detail view of a .portion of the felly band, illustrating the construction of the lugs of the locking ring.

Figure 7 is a detail View meta-l disk wheel.

` Figure 8 is asimilar view of a portion of a wheel having a hollow metal tfelly.

Inthe accompanying drawings, in which isiillustrated the preferred embodiment of the invention, 1 designates a wood spoke wheel having a wooden felly 2 and provided with an annular metal felly band 3 adapted to receive a demountable rim 4. The felly band 3 is composed of inner and outer inclined bearing portions 5 and 6 .and arde'- pressed or grooved intermediate portion 7 arranged in annular groove 8 in the felly 2 of a portion of a and securely interlocking the felly band with v the fellyand maintaining the sections of the wheel, when the same is constructed in sections, securelyf in 'assembled relation. The

felly band 3 formsa: band around thei Wooden felly and `wll reinforce and strengthen the wheel.

The rim 4: is provided with inner and outeranges 9 and 10 adapted to receive a pneumatic ytire (not shown) between them` but the rim may be constructed to receive' a clincher tire or any other type of tire, as

may be readily `understood and one of the flanges may he formed by a removable flange or ring 1n the ordinary lwell known manner. `The felly band 3 1s provided at `the inner edge with an inclined or angularly disposed annular flange l1, which is adapted to fit against a beveled or inclined face 12 of the rim to form a. stop and also to exclude dust and dirt. The annular groove or dcpressed portion 7 of the felly band is located at the outer side of the central plane of the Wheel in order to arrange it at the outer side of the openings 13 and ifi iu the rim and thewlieel for the valve stem and the rim is provided at its inner face with spaced bearing lugs l5 which may` be` of any desired number and which present beveled or y inclined inner bearing facesto the inner inclined bearing portion 5 of the felly band The rim is also provided with an outer annular enlargeinentior flange 16 which fits the outer inclined `annular bearing surface or portion 5 of the felly member. The annular enlargement or ange 16 reinforces and stiffens the rim andthe bearing lugs 15,

. which have angularly disposed inner longiim y lll

tudinal edges 17 connected with the annular enlargement or flange 16 bya central web 18 which coacts with the lugs and the annular enlargement or flange 16 to reinforce and prevent distortion'iof.y the rim and locking ring. The rim, when placed on the felly band of the Wheel, has a wedgng action-or tight fit and it is forced into firm contact with the felly member by lugs 19 formed integral witlra locking ring 19l and adapted, by a partial'rotary movement of the locking ring, to be carried into and out of engagement With the outer circumferential edges of the bearing lugs, whereby `the rim will be forced into a tight wedging fit with the felly member and securely Iand tightly locked on the same. The lugs 19 are arranged at an angle or diagonally with relation to ithe annular locking ring and they havefrounded corners 20 to facilitate their engagement with the lugs and alsoY with roundediprojecvtions or protuberances 21 formed integral with the annular flangeorfenlargement of the rim and1 arranged at the innerV edge thereof. These projections or prot/.uberances 21 are engaged byrthe lugs of the locking ring in the unlocking action ory movement of the ring and they operate to break the Contact of the rim with the Wheel `and kickfoll' the rim and thereby enable an easy removal or demouting of the frim to be effected.

In practice the wheels will 4be made right and left hand, that is the locking rings in their locking movement will movey rearwardlyk in opposite direction kto the forwardrotation of the wheels so that the tendency of the wheels in rotating will be tomaintain the locking rings in their engaging position rather than to rotate the locking rings in a directiony to unlock the rims.

The partial rotary movement of the locking ring to lock and yunlock the rim is effected bylactuat-ing mechanism located diametrically opposite the valve stemopenings and comprising a substantially double truncoconical gear element 22 constructed of a single piece of metal and provided with. terminal journals 23 which are mounted in suitable bearings in the felly of the wheel. The gear element 22 is composed of oppositely tapered portions 2l andan intermediate rcduced connecting portion 25. AThe tapered portions are arcuate in longitudinal contour to conform to the curvature of the locking ring and they are provided with spiral threads 26 which interlock with teeth 27 of the locking ring substantially throughout the entire length ofthe said tapered port-ions` The teeth 27 are cut in the locking ring and the central or intermediate portion forms a Worm Wheel which mesheswith a transversely disposed worm 28, having a polygonal end r29 adapted to receive a key or other suitable device for rotating the worm Afor actuating the gear element 22.

The worm wheel is mounted in suitable bearings and when rotated imparts a rotary movement to the gear `element 22, which will both push and pull the locking ring in rotating the same as the tapered thread bearingportions are located in advance and in rear of the centrally arranged worm 28. This will produce a uniform locking action and pull on the locking lugs so that the rim of thc wheel will be quickly forced inwardly at spaced points throughout itsenti1'c inner periphery. The rearward rotation =of the locking rings will carry the lugs 19 across the outer side edges ofthe bearing lugs 15 andthe wcdging action of thelcontacting parts wil'l limit the rotary Amovement ofthe locking ring. Also the worms formed by the tapered portions of the gear element lcoact with the worm 28 to provide a lock for preventing rotary movement of the locking" ring and this cooperates with the rearward movement of the locking ring in its locking action and the tendency of. the forward rotation of the wheels of the vehicle to maintain the locking ring in its locking position.

annular stop flange In Figure 8 is illustrated a hollow metallic felly 34 having a depressed circumferentially `gvooved yorl depressed portion to receive a locking ring 36 and provided with a stop flange 37. The dcmountable rim and the locking means may be applied toany form of wheel ofthe character designed -for automobiles and other motor vehicles and the like.

It will be seen that there is a single point of application of force to rotate the locking ring and that a uniform movement .of the rim is effected in wedging the same on the wheel and that the rim and tire will be perfectly positioned and the wear on the rtire will be uniform.

One of the bearing lugs, preferably adjacent the holes for the valve stem. is 'provided with a transverserib or flange 38 to engage ya corresponding groove or slot 39 formed in the fe'lly band. The groove or slot is preferably slightlyy longer than the rib or flange in a direction parallel.A to the axis of the wheel and upon the interlocking ofthe rim with the felly band by the rib or flange and groove or slot the rotation of the Arim with the wheel and proper alignment of the rim on the wheel are assured. One or more l of the interlocking ribs and slots may, of course, be employed.

The bearing surface of. the rim and the felly band insure proper alignmentof the rim and the tire, causing even wear andulonger loo life of the tire. AlsoV the forward rotation of the Wheels tends to hold the locking ring in engagement with the lugs of the rim. The flange of the felly and the annular flange or enlargement vof the rim provide a tight joint or connection at each side ofthe wheel, adapted to exclude dust, dirt, Water, etc., and `at the same time the annular flange or enlargement of the rim stiifens and pre` vents buckling of the same. The actuating gearing affords greater power with only a slight application of force on the part of the operator and the Worms also result in a double locking action of the parts while the double trunco-conical element provides 'a stop for limiting the movement of the locking ring in unlocking the rim.

df'hat is claimed is:

l. A wheel of the class described, includv` ing a felly, a locking ring mounted on` the felly for rotary movement and provided with teeth, a rim arranged on the felly, said rim and locking ring having eo-acting means ior retaining the rim on the felly, andan oppositely tapered gear element presenting an arcuate longitudinal contour to conform to the curvature of the locking ring 'and provided with spiral threads engaging the teeth of the locking ring throughout substantially the entire length of the tapered portions, and means for rotating the gear element to lock and release the rim.

2. A Wheel of the class described, includthe tapered portions with an integral Worm wheel, and a worm meshing with the Worm wheel for rotating the gear elementto lock and release the rim. p

A Wheel of the class described, including a felly, a locking ring mounted on the felly for rotary movement and provided with teeth, a rim arranged on the felly, said rim and locking ring having co-acting means for retaining the rim on the felly, an oppositely tapered gear element presenting an arcuate longitudinal contour to conform to i the curvature of the locking ring and provided ivith spiral threads engaging the teeth of the locking ring throughout substantially the entire length of the tapered portions, said gear element having terminal bearing portions and provided with a central integral worm wheel` and a transverse Worm operating between the tapered portions of the locking ring and means `for imparting a rotary movementto the locking ring to engage and disengage the said lugs.

` 5. A wheel of the class described including a. felly band having an annular groove and provided at the inner side thereof with an' inclined bearing portion, a locking ring operating in the groove and provided with lugs, a rim having spaced tapering bearing .lugs `seated upon the bearing portion of the telly band beyond the said groove and arranged to be engaged by the lugs of the locking ring, means for imparting a rotary movement to the locking 4ring to engage and disengage the said lugs and means carried by the rim and arranged to be engaged by the lugs of the locking ring to force the rim outwardly in the unlocking movement of the said ring` n (5. A wheel of the class describedincluding a felly band provided withv inner and outer inclined bearing surfaces and having an annular groove locatedfbetvveen the said bearing surfaces, a rim provided at intervals with spaced tapering bearing lugs seated upon one of the said bearing surfaces of the felly band beyond the groove thereof and having an inclined bearing portion seated upon the other bearing surface of the fellv band beyond the opposite side of the groove and a locking ring operating in the said groove and provided with means for engaging the lugs of the rim.

i'. A. wheel ofthe class described including a felly band provided with inner and .outer inclined bearing portions and having an intermediate annular groove, a` rim provided With inner spaced tapering lugs seated upon the inner bearing portion of the felly band beyond the said groove and having at the outer portion an annular flange present ing an inclined bearing surface to the outer inclined bearing surface of the felly band and located beyond the opposite side of the groove said liange being pro'ided at the inner edge with protuberances located at the spaces between the bearing lugs, and a locking ring operating in the groove of the felly band and provided with lugs having angularly disposed longitudinal edges arranged to engage the lugs of the rim. to Wedge the latter' on the felly band and also to engage the projections or protuberances of the rim reo v lll) rau

to forcethe same outwardly in the unlockingvniovenient of' the locking rinfr. 4

8. A Wheel of the classdescribed including a felly band provided at the inner side with an annularstop ilange and having inner and outer inclined bearing portions and an intermediatepgroove, a rim provided with inner spaced tapering bearing lugs seated upon the inner bearing portion of the felly band and having angular-ly disposed circumferential edges said rim being also provided with an outer annular flange presenting an inclined bearing surface to the outer bearing portion ,of thc folly hand and having protuherances at its inner edge, the lugs and annular flange of the rim being Alocated at ,the opposite Walls of' the groove, and a locking ring operating in the groove and provided with `diagonally disposed lugs engaging the lugs of' the rim to lock and release the same. i 9. A wheel ofthe class described including'afelly Aband presenting inclined inner and outer hearing surfaces yand having an annular groove between the saine, a rim arranged on the felly band and provided with inner tapered bearing lugs seated uponthe inner hearing surface yof the f'elly band and y provided lwith an outer annular flange presenting an inclined bearing surface to the outer bearing surface of the felly band, said rim `being also provided with webs Varranged centrally of the lugs and connecting the saine with the flange, the lu 4s and the flange being located at opposite si Ves of the groove in the felly hand and a locking ring operating in the groove and having lugs provided withangularly disposed edges and rounded corners and adapted to engage the lugs oi' the rim.

10. A wheel of `the vclass described, including a felly presenting inclined inner and outer hearing surfaces and having a groove or depression between the saine` a rim arranged on the felly and provided with inner tapered bearing lugs to fit the inner bearing surface of the felly and provided with an outer annular enlarvelnent or flange presenting an inclined caring surface to the outer bearing surface of `the folly, said rin'i being also provided with webs arranged centrally of the lugs and connecting the same with the flange or enlargement, said rim be ing provided at the inner edge of the annular flange or enlargement with protuberances, and a llocking ring operating in the groove or depression of the i'elly and provided with diagonally disposed lugs having rounded corners and adapted to engage the lugs or protuberance ot the rim to lock and release the latter.

1l. A wheel of the class described, including a `folly having an inclined hearing portion, a locking ring mounted in the felly and provided with lugs, a rim having spaced taperedbearing lugs fitting the hearing portion of Vthe jlelly and arranged to be engaged by the lugs of thc locking ring, one of the lugs and the bearing surface having a transversely disposed interlocking rib and slot, and means for impartinga rotary movement to the lockingr ring to engage and dsengagc the lugs thereof with the lugs of the rini'.

1Q.. A wheel of the class described including a body portion equipped at its periphery with inclined inner and outer bearing surfaces and having an annular groove between the saine, a removable riln provided with inner tapered bearing lugs seated upon the said inner bearing surface and provided with an outer annularilange presenting an inclined bearing surface to the said outer bearing surface, said rim being also provided with Webs 4arranged centrally of the lugs and connecting the same with the said flange, the lugs and the flange of the rim being vlocated at opposite sides of the said annular groove and a locking ring operating in the groove and havnglugs provided with angularly Vdisposed edges and arranged to engage the lugs of the rim.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set in v hand.

SAMUEL vHERBERT CLARKE.

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